Eddie Hernandez: Hollywood’s Stuntman

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“I’m very proud of my heritage, it is what opened the doors for me.” says former Chicago native, Eddie Hernandez, who is known as one of the top Latino stuntmen in the World.

Eddie has been working as a stuntman on major motion pictures since 1981, and has gained respect and notability Worldwide. We got the opportunity to talk with Eddie about his newest movie “Haywire,” and also about his Mexican background. Eddie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but his mother, Cirila, is from Acapulco and his father is from Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Eddie gave us an in-depth look into what has made him the stuntman he is today, and where he would like his career to lead to. “Growing up I played a lot of sports. I was always active and I was really involved with martial arts of all types, and also motocross and that kind of just lead to me doing stunts. There isn’t many action actor Latinos out there and that’s what I would love to become. We all have dreams and dreams do come true. At least that’s what my mom always said!”

When we asked Eddie what his favorite part of his Mexican culture was, he gave me an answer that I believe most Latinos would agree with. Eddie said, “I’m saying that I’m very proud of my heritage. It is what opened the doors for me. Believe it or not, we don’t have as many Hispanic action actors in the business. I do know a few Latin actors who have made it in this crazy business, like George Lopez, Emilio River, Danny Trio just to mention a few. And let me tell you we all do stick together. That’s what the Latin culture does best!” He also gave insight into a time where he said a lot of work was available for him, he mentioned that after the September 11th attacks in New York, more and more films that dealt with terrorism and re-enacting the happenings of the 9/11 attacks gave him an edge because he was darker and they needed darker stuntmen. He said it helped him with experience and creating lasting relationships with other Latinos in the industry.

“I’m very proud of my heritage, it is what opened the doors for me.”

Eddie talks about his newest movie “Haywire” where he got to put to good use many skills he’s had all his life, he mentioned, “I have done martial arts all of my life, and was actually a pro kick boxer, it really helped me out in this movie because that was mostly what I had to do. I got the chance to work with Gina Carano, who is a professional MMA (mixed martial arts) superstar. That was really awesome, she was great!”

BINGE: What would you say your favorite movie/stunt that you have worked on in your career?

Eddie: “I really liked the fire explosions we worked on in “Backdraft,” but last year I won “The 2011 Taurus World Stunt Awards.” Category was for the “Best Fire” for the movie “The Expendables.” www.taurusworldstuntawards.com

BINGE: How did you get involved with stunt work?

Eddie: “Growing up I played a lot of sports. I was always active and I was really involved with martial arts of all types, and that kind of just lead to me doing stunts.”

BINGE: Any words of advice to young readers out there that may be interested in doing this type of work?